I’ll be awfully impressed to see the Preds take out the New Jersey Devils tonight off the turnpike. Going undefeated on a three-game road trip, especially one covering the greater NYC metro area, would be an impressive feat and a resounding rebound from the Preds’ woeful start to the season.

This is a homecoming of sorts for new Preds center Jason Arnott, who hoisted the Stanley Cup as a Devil in 2000 before eventually signing with Dallas, his last stop before landing in Nashville. It’s a reunion of sorts for Nashville, too, because the Devils would now call Nashville home if not for the Devils’ first Cup championship in 1995. A sixth-seeded Devils team rode a red-hot Martin Brodeur and a stifling defense to the title that year and played itself right out of needing to move to a new city.

Speaking of Arnott, I’ve been very pleased to see his play along with linemates Martin Erat and Paul Kariya recently. They are a good combination of size, skill and speed, and they anticipate each other’s positions on the ice well. This is shaping up to be an excellent line for the Preds. I’ve never been one to nickname lines, but this one has me wanting to start. My first choices so far are the Crisis Line (because they have the numerical combination 9-1-1 in their jersey numbers: 19, 10 and 9 respectively) or .38 Special (because their jersey numbers add up to 38.

… this technology is wild. I’m curious to see it in action. I started typing on a keyboard in grade school way before I ever had a chance to take typing classes, and I’ve perfected my own distinct version of hunt-and-peck typing that is reasonably effective and quick. (I’m no record setter, but I’m not sluggish, either.) I’m pretty sure that my method of typing is unique to me, so I’m buying that this system would both identify me and protect me from unauthorized logins by other people. I guess this is what’s next until we can mass produce retina scan technology.

Focus on the Family has been compromised, and this job posting is evidence. Corporate America has brainwashed the organization and forced it to use corporatespeak as its only form of communication. I am pleased to report that this job posting has met its assigned quota for the following buzzwords:

• diversified (”diverse” is preferred, but they’re just learning)
• strategic (now they’re rolling)
• tactical
• key
• resources
• implement and implementation
• initiatives
• in-depth
• impact
• utilize
• effective
• maintain (four times in one paragraph)
• “Self-motivated Team player” (extra credit)
• solution-oriented and solutions

On the other hand, I have zero idea what the person who fills this position will actually do. I am grateful that it will not be me.

In my opinion, Focus on the Family itself cannot qualify for employment in this job. The job description specifically requires the following: “Excellent decision-making skills, tactful, diplomatic, builds consensus rather than emphasizes differences, ability to see the big picture (end-to-end) as well as the little picture (details). Strong analytical ability based on logical thought processes. Strategic, solution-oriented thinking capabilities. Ability to systematically and creatively approach problem solving, using logical, rational thinking, and discernment.”

The Preds shut down the Rangers 3-0 last night in Madison Square Garden. Nashville is now 3-3 and in third place in the Central Division standings.

I watched large segments of the game and was happy to see the Preds earn their third win in a row. I thought Vokoun played an outstanding game, and he was the primary reason they won. Lundqvist did not play poorly, but the Preds were able to capitalize on opportunities he and the Rangers defense gave them. Arnott’s goal, the first tally, was a very accurate shot from his position on the ice, but I wonder if that is not a shot that Lundqvist should have corralled. (While Arnott shot at full speed, this shot reminded me of the floater that Sullivan slipped past Dunham against the Islanders the night before. In both cases, the goalie makes that save most of the time).

How do I describe the penalty kill? I’m not sure. The Preds killed several 5-on-3 advantages, but not all of that was great defense. Some of it was fortunate bounces of the puck. I’m concerned about the Preds winding up in numerous two-men-down situations in a single game. That will catch up with them sooner or later, and I’m surprised that it didn’t last night while facing a talented power play squad. The Preds also didn’t capitalize on a few 5-on-3 advantages of their own, and those are definitely missed opportunities.

All in all, this was a quality road win and another much needed two points as the Preds climb back out of the early-season cellar. I did note that the Rangers outshot the Preds 38-27, but most of that margin (7 shots) came in the third when the Preds were comfortably ahead.